AFTER TWO YEARS OF PLANNING, The Steppingstone Foundation launched its newest initiative—the College Success Academy—in July, based in two Boston public K-8 schools, the Edison and the Jackson/Mann. While most of their classmates had put away their textbooks for the summer, the pilot class of 46 Scholars at the College Success Academy were rolling up their sleeves for six weeks of classes in math, English/ Language Arts, science, and

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(continued from front) The College Success Academy (CSA) shares many similarities

with The Steppingstone Academy (TSA) beginning with the goal of setting

Boston students on the path to college graduation. Both programs welcome

students who are eager to work hard to achieve their college goals; there

is an academic program that takes place after school and over multiple

summers; and there are comprehensive academic, college guidance, and

social/emotional support services through high school and college.

What’s different? CSA is based in two Boston K-8 public schools, and in its

first three years will only recruit Scholars from those schools. There will be

no placement into independent or public exam schools; instead, the academic

program will span five summers rather than two, with extra academic support

in ninth grade. But to really compare and contrast the two programs, who

better than an Alumnus from The Steppingstone Academy,

Reggie Farina ’94, Noble and Greenough School ’00, Georgetown

University ’04. Reggie took an hour out of his work day at

Google, where he serves as an Agency Lead for the Digital

Agency Business Development group, to visit CSA.

“Fresh off of the Steppingstone Alumni reunion, and having

heard the buzz of a new generation of Steppingstone Scholars,

I was curious to see the inaugural College Success Academy for

myself. I headed to visit CSA summer classes at Suffolk University

on August 3. Would it be like The Steppingstone Academy? Had

17 years been too much time to make comparisons? Would the

urge to drop everything and head to Canobie Lake Park be too

strong to resist? Yes, No, and TBD.

Catching up with old friends brings back memories—no question there.

Visiting old environments, however, has a way of transporting you and planting

you squarely in a memory, as if it were present day. While watching CSA stu-

dents work through non-fiction English lessons, apply math knowledge to solve

real world problems, and bolt between classrooms to see friends during breaks,

my time at TSA came back to me. Seventeen years later, some things are

different. Scholars in the English class I visited handled MacBooks like pros;

my family got our first typewriter in November of 1994. CSA elective options

cover a range of interests, such as drumming and video/film study; I might

have taken Spanish (can’t remember).

So much, however, remains the same in the best way possible. Yes, the sum-

mer session ends with a trip to Canobie Lake Park, but there were other, more

important similarities. The Scholars were focused, curious, and interested in

learning something new that day. You could sense their minds working intently

to answer questions asked of them. The faculty was palpably dedicated to

challenging the Scholars. And you could tell that they’re more than just staff –

they’re mentors, advisors, and supporters who will build life-long relationships

with this group of CSA Scholars, just as TSA staff did with the first Steppingstone

Academy Scholars and all those who have followed.

While it took a few days, I’ve realized what seeing a new brand of Steppingstone

in action means to me. Yes, educating students for future success is CSA’s end

goal—Steppingstone has shown time and again that they’re up to that chal-

lenge. My visit to CSA confirmed, however, what I knew but hadn’t consid-

ered for years—that Steppingstone continues to focus on creating a commu-

nity filled with good people who build sincere, supportive relationships. The

visit reminded me that the program engenders authenticity and humility in

its students, and that these characteristics in turn foster personal growth and

confidence. The students’ classroom skills will improve, but so will their sense of

integrity, their appreciation for dependability, and their genuine desire to do

good for others. Seeing CSA’s launch is affirmation that what was important to

The Steppingstone Academy over 20 years ago —building lasting relationships

and a strong, supportive community —continues to be a defining characteristic

of the program.”

Mayor Thomas Menino shares a laugh with CSA Scholars Ludner Exantus and Leandra Terrero at the July 6 launch of the College Success Academy.

Steppingstone FoundationBoard of Directors

Amy Smith BerylsonChuck BriziusRobert ClagettBrian J. Conway, ChairmanMichael P. DanzigerBart EpkerRichard FriedmanAndrew HahnWilliam HelmanAllison JohnsonIsabelle LoringDr. Richard I. MelvoinA. Peter Monaco, Jr.Karl W. Reid, Ed.D.Brent Edward ShayJohn G. SimonJohn S. WeinbergChristina Wing-O’Donnell

Reggie Farina ’94

Photo credit: Meg Birnbaum Photography

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The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) hosted its third annual con-ference, Developing 21st Century Leaders: Creating Paths to Success, on April 28-29, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Attended by more than 260 participants, the conference focused on leadership development and creating paths to success in the field of educational access. In addition to addressing what students and professionals need to be effective leaders, a special focus included topics relating to young men of color. The conference featured more than 40 speakers and 20 workshops. Topics ranged from promoting college retention of low-income and first-generation students and empowering young men of color, to more hands-on topics, including integrating 21st century skills into teaching and learning. Special presentations also included an alumni panel, featuring graduates of various academic enrichment programs, as well as a panel of presidents from several colleges and universities. Featured keynote speakers included Beverly Daniel Tatum (President, Spelman College), John Jackson (President,

The Schott Foundation for Public Educa-tion), and Pedro Noguera (Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Development, New York University). Among the featured panelists was Alumna Natasha Herbert ’99, Boston Latin School ’05, Spelman College ’09. She is currently pursuing a master’s in public heath degree at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. Natasha spoke on a panel with alumni from various academic outreach programs who shared the challenges and successes of their respective paths to college and beyond, as well as how the programs they attended made a difference in their lives. The fourth annual conference will be held on April 19-20, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Keynote speakers will include Eric Bettinger (Stanford University), Wes Moore (author, The Other Wes Moore), and Melissa Roderick (Hermon Dunlap Smith Professor, University of Chicago).

On August 1, KPMG hosted five College Success Acad-emy Scholars for lunch and a discussion of the importance of college.

On July 29, Boston’s Neighbor-hood Network News aired their visit to the College Success Academy.

Governor Deval Patrick sur-prised Steppingstone Scholars on July 15 at The Steppingstone Academy where he recalled his own journey to Milton Acad-emy and encouraged Scholars to pursue their education.

The Boston Globe, July 7, 2011 and The Boston Courant, July 8, 2011 featured Mayor Thomas Menino launching the College Success Academy at Suffolk University.

Shawnna Thomas ’05 (Boston Latin Academy ’11, Yale University ’15) was interviewed on NECN after being named a Gates Mil-lennium Scholarship recipient. Shawnna plans on focusing on Classics and Women’s Studies at Yale. The Gates Founda-tion will cover her tuition and expenses at Yale and at her graduate school of choice.

Channel 5 featured CJ Masdea

’05 (Boston University Acad-emy ’11, Brandeis University ’15) on April 25 as an “A Plus” high school senior, filming him on campus at Boston Univer-sity where he took classes his senior year in calculus and astronomy.

Kelly Glew, President & COO of Steppingstone, Natasha Herbert ’99, and Yully Cha, Executive Vice President of Programs at Steppingstone.

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On Saturday, August 13, Steppingstone families, friends, and staff celebrated alongside 132 Scholars as they graduated from The Steppingstone Academy. The day is a milestone for Scholars as it marks the completion of the academic component of the program.

Governor Deval Patrick chats with Scholar Bergelin Jean.

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GRADUATING FROM THE 14-MONTH ACADEMIC component marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Steppingstone Scholars. For some, returning to The Steppingstone Academy in another capacity, such as a Teaching Assistant, intern, or teacher, offers a palpable next chapter in their academic journey. It provides them with the opportunity to give back and inspire younger Scholars. These veterans were once in the shoes of Scholars in the summer program and they’ve successfully juggled the additional class work and attended school over the summers and week-ends, making them the ideal role models for the next generation of Steppingstone Scholars.

Last summer, a stellar group of Scholars and Alumni made their way back to Steppingstone to work at either The Steppingstone Academy (TSA), the College Success Academy (CSA), or The Steppingstone Foundation administrative office. Ten college interns supported the senior faculty in classrooms at Milton Academy and Suffolk University, home to TSA and CSA, respectively. Of those 10, three were Alumni—Carro Hua ’03, Boston Latin Academy ’09, Smith College ’13; Anthony Mathieu ’02, Boston Latin Academy ’08, Hamilton College ’12; and Courtney Monahan ’01, Noble and Greenough School ’07, Bryn Mawr College ’11. Anthony joined the staff at CSA to help jumpstart Steppingstone’s newest initiative, and Carro and Courtney co-taught at TSA. Back at the Foundation headquarters, Alumni Relations intern Nicole Jennings ’02, a graduate of The Winsor School and a senior at Howard University, helped organize a successful Alumni Reunion, wrote articles for alumni newsletters, and

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created a career matrix which will be used for alumni networking purposes.

Also making an impact, nine Scholars in high school were selected through a highly competitive selection process to become Teaching Assistants (TAs) at TSA: Andres Cardone ’06, senior at Boston Latin Academy; Jeremy Guevara ’06, junior at Brimmer and May School; Uyi Idahor ’08, senior at Mt. St. Joseph Academy; David Paradela ’06, senior at Boston College High School; Marynee Pontes ’05, senior at Dana Hall School; Aman Stuppard ’07, junior at Roxbury Latin School; Fanney Zhu ’07, junior at Boston Latin School; Miranda Haymon ’05, The Park School ’08, senior at Phillips Academy; and Karen Morales ’08, senior at Phillips Academy. The TAs worked diligently to assist the faculty in classrooms, provide administrative support, lead site tours and visits, and participate in roundtable discussions. Meanwhile, over at CSA, a Scholar from the very first Steppingstone Academy class joined the teaching faculty. Alain Davis ’91 taught a media (film and video) elective.

Fernando Lora ’03, a graduate of the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and a sophomore at Williams College, returned to the stage at The Step-pingstone Academy graduation in August, but this time around as the keynote speaker. Scholars listened intent-ly as he spoke about his personal and academic journey at Steppingstone, as well as his travels abroad studying in China and Turkey, his relief work in Guatemala, and summers at the Harvard Crimson Academy.

Left to right: Fernando Lora ‘03 delivering his keynote address at graduation; Teaching assistants and college interns at The Steppingstone Academy; Alumni Relations intern Nicole Jennings ‘02; and College Success Academy college intern Anthony Mathieu ‘02.

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Stepping OutWalk for Hunger 2011

On Sunday, May 1, Steppingstone Scholars, families, and staff were in high spirits as they participated in the Walk for Hunger to raise funds for hunger awareness. The group raised just over $1,000 for the cause and is ready to do it all over again next year!

Phillips Exeter Academy Hosts Overnight Retreat

Last May, Steppingstone Scholars in Acad-emy Nine traveled to New Hampshire on a Friday evening and settled into the dorms at Phillips Exeter Academy. Schol-ars were paired up with current Exeter students who would serve as guides for the duration of the retreat. Friday night was jam-packed with fun events such as dinner in the dining hall, a performance by an MIT a cappella group, ultimate frisbee, watching movies, and making s’mores. The following day, an Exeter sci-ence teacher led the Scholars in a Hark-ness discussion regarding “survival of the fittest,” and Scholars were able to use Exeter’s science facilities to explore the concept themselves. Afterwards, Michael Gary, Director of Admissions at Exeter, spoke to the Scholars about the process of applying to high school and his own experience at boarding school.

Vanessa Rivera ’05, 12th grader at Boston Trinity AcademyHabib Omar ’08, 12th grader at The Dexter SchoolFarrah Beaubrun ’05, 12th grader at The Cambridge School of WestonDavid Paradela ’06, 12th grader at Boston College HighBright Osajiie ’05, 12th grader at Milton AcademyOpeoluwa Olukorede ’09, 11th grader at The Rivers SchoolOlivia Lau ’06, 11th grader at Thayer Academy Refjola Malushi ’07, 10th grader at North Quincy High School

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GRAB YOUR POM POMS! Show your school spirit at Step-pingstone’s Pep Rally Gala! This year’s event will be held on Wednesday, November 2 at The Charles Hotel. In addition to cel-ebrating the Scholars, we will ap-plaud all of the schools that have partnered with Steppingstone to set more Scholars on the path to college success. For more informa-tion, please contact Kate Wood at kwood@tsf.org.

Refjola Malushi ’07 and Olivia Lau ’06 enjoying classes at Brown University.

Summer@Brown Scholars

Summer@Brown is a two-week residential program that enables students from across the country to experience life on a college campus and take part in real college courses. Over the summer, eight Scholars took part in the program, funded by a small group of Brown alumni who contributed to Steppingstone’s Summer Opportunities Fund.

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Scholarly Achievements

Winsor School’s Lisa Luo ’04 was the class speaker at the school’s gradu-ation ceremony. She is currently a freshman at Dartmouth College.

At Dana Hall School, Alejandra

Baez ’05 received the Katherine T. Gregory Award on Prize Day.

Roxbury Latin School’s Nelson

Tamayo ’05 interned at the State House with Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz as part of his school’s Independent Senior Project.

Roxbury Latin School’s Valentine

Iwejuo ’06 traveled to California, North Carolina, and Spain this summer with his church as part of World Youth Day.

Axel Marcelin ’07 was awarded the Middle School Award of Merit at Belmont Hill School.

Boston University Academy’s C.J. Masdea ’07 (pictured above) was accepted into Harvard Medical School’s Project Success program and spent the summer doing research at Harvard’s research facilities.

Genesis De Los Santos ’08 was selected to speak at Meadowbrook School’s graduation ceremony and started ninth grade at Noble and Greenough School this fall.

Meadowbrook School’s Destiny

Polk ’08 was given the Headmaster Award due to her leadership, en-thusiasm, maturity, and dedication

to the values and traditions of the school. Destiny is currently in the ninth grade at Milton Academy.

Louise Barias ’08 of Boston Latin Academy spent the summer at the Harvard Crimson Academy. Louise, along with Hassan Sakhta ’08 and Michael John ’10, are members of BLA’s debate team and received an award for being the Most Successful Squad of the Year. Also from BLA, Alissa He ’09 and Victoria

Kwong ’09 joined the Boom Writer’s Club where they share their love of writing with fellow BLA students. Victoria also won first place in the school science fair and third place in the city fair.

Pauline Suncar ’08 of Dedham Coun-try Day School was co-captain of her school’s softball squad.

The Winsor School’s Luisa Perez

Lacerna ’09 joined the cartooning club and traveled to Ecuador this summer.

Gabriela Ureña ’10 from Noble and Greenough School was the March Hare in the school’s production of Alice in Wonderland.

Boston Latin School’s Eileen Cheung

’10 attended MIT’s Science Tech-nology & Math (STEM) program over the summer.

Denny Yu ’10, Ayan Warfa ’09, and Nancy Kacupaj ’08 all had literary works selected for publication in Park School’s Anthology.

Photo credit: Boston University Academy

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